The Million-Dollar Heart

When Leopold walked in, the scene before him stopped him dead in his tracks.

There was Percival, shirtless and blushing furiously, sprawled on the couch while Vivienne, with eyes sparkling with mischief, was pointing her smartphone at him like she was about to devour him whole. Leopold was dumbfounded.

He had only been gone for what, ten minutes? And things had escalated this quickly?

The room was buzzing with an energy that was both electric and slightly scandalous.

The unexpected interruption clearly didn't sit well with Vivienne, who shot Leopold a glare sharp enough to cut, "Out!"

Leopold, taken aback and with every wild thought fleeing his mind except for self-preservation, stammered, "Uh, Vivienne, I saw nothing, really. Just came to drop off the car keys...'

With that, he tossed the keys towards the entryway and made a hasty retreat, not even bothering to close the door properly.

Once outside, he took a deep breath.

Trust Vivienne to be involved in something he hadn't even dreamed of.

Poor Percival, though. In Vivienne's clutches, he was practically a goner.

After snapping a few pics, Vivienne put down her phone and picked up a cotton swab to tend to the scrapes on Percival's arms and shoulders.

Once she was done, she let out a sigh and finally voiced her concerns, "Mr. Wolf, it looks like our wedding might need to be postponed."

Percival turned to face her, "Your dad still not on board?"

Vivienne grimaced, "It's not just my dad this time. My four uncles too. They want to throw a big bash. My mom's wedding was a surprise to them, and now, they want to make sure they're fully prepared for ours."

Percival thought for a moment, then pulled her into a hug, "I understand."

Feeling his strong heartbeat, Vivienne nestled closer, "You're so understanding, Mr. Wolf."

Percival stroked her hair, his eyes filled with affection, "My understanding is all for you."

wedding plans to me. I'll meet your dad

looked up in surprise, "You

"There's always a way."

with tougher crowds than your brothers. Your uncles

couldn't help but look forward to it, "Well, you better

was the comfort of Mr. Wolf's couch, or just being by his side, but Vivienne soon drifted

up, she saw dusk had

with four dishes, a soup, and a palm-sized strawberry cheesecake.

first, only for Percival to hand her

get to the cake immediately, Vivienne felt as if there were ants crawling in her heart, "Mr. Wolf, you're getting stingy. This cake's too small for my

tomorrow I

laughed and nodded,

a deep look, he asked, "Staying

I don't want your house to be one room

Percival, "..."

take their frustrations out

The Linklater household.

in, Arthur's booming

darling daughter for over a decade. How dare he! I'm going to blow that scoundrel's house sky-high..." Vivienne strode over, ice in her

"I, uh..."

daughter's figure, switched from fury to fondness in an instant, "Oh, my dear,

hungry? I've just mastered the perfect fried mozzarella sticks. Want

control, Arthur's face was the picture

throbbed, "No

deflated Arthur's earlier bluster, and he quickly agreed, "Alright, then first thing tomorrow, I'll make you breakfast." Vivienne, heading upstairs, suddenly turned back to Sasha,

nodded, giving

hasty next time. She's home safe, isn't No need to blow up

next few days, Vivienne stayed quietly at

in the garden with Sasha and